In September last year County Stores - once known as the "Harrods of the West Country" - announced it was going to close at the beginning of 2017.

The announcement resulted in an outpouring of grief and sadness and made the front page of local newspapers and and on January 10 this year, the owners declared the shop would stay open for the 'foreseeable future'.

History of the store

The shop opened it's doors around 1832 when it moved into a building once occupied by a Boot & Shoe Repairer at 52 North Street. That particular business went bankrupt in 1932, following on and for a short period it was known as Somerset Tea Warehouse.

In 1867 the store attempted to move up-market with the installation of a coffee bean roaster and blender.

During the period of food rationing, County Stores, with other traders, encountered a difficult period with lower sales and lean margins. At this point the company started to diversify and moved into the hand-made leather and linen products.

These days, County Food Hall hosts a large selection of quality produce, apart from everyday foods you will find the more unusual and sometimes harder to find brands, in the Food Hall you will find a bakery, a delicatessen counter, a small and friendly butcher, quality chocolates and coffee, wine department and much more.

So what happened?

In September 2016, the store announced they were going to close, saying the high street retail environment had become very challenging.

But...

After an outpouring of support and sadness from businesses and residents,bosses did a u-turn and announced they would stay open during 2017, but warned they were still looking for new tenants.

So, it is staying open?

Honestly, we're not sure.

Numerous phone calls and emails to the store have gone unanswered and all we have to go on is the statement from James Duder, director of the store, shortly after they announced plans to keep the store open.

He said: "Although long term we are still looking for prospective tenants to take over the premises, we are listening to all those who have said they want the Stores to stay open, and people will now have the opportunity to show their support and enjoy the unique ambience of the County Stores."

To date, there's been no word on how the search for new tenants at the shop is going - although there is good news in as much as the staff there have been stocking shelves with goodies for Christmas and there has been no further suggestion from the owners that the shop is going to close its doors any time soon.